Capturing Chagford: Portraits of a Dartmoor Parish

A new photography book perfectly captures the people and distinctive spirit of the popular Dartmoor town of Chagford, a place with a big heart and a rich history.

What sets this book apart is the sense of joy emanating from its pages. The author is local photographer Claire-Shauna Saunders (whose photos have appeared in The Guardian) and the book also features a thoughtful and charming introduction by British actor Ade Edmondson. Strong portraits of some of Chagford’s more famous residents appear alongside intimate portrayals of local people - the farmers, shopkeepers, colourful characters, and craftspeople who live and work in the town. Lively photographs of popular community events evoke the authentic experience of life in this most eclectic of places.

Claire was born in Ely and fell in love with photography at a young age. “It was a passion. I always asked for cameras for my birthdays. As a teenager, I used to hide behind the market stalls in Ely Market and take photos of all the interesting people.” She started coming to Chagford regularly in her young adulthood to visit family members living in the town. In comparison to the flat landscape of the fens, Dartmoor took her breath away: “I thought it was beautiful - the hills, the thatched cottages, the hedgerows full of flowers. It was like - wow this is really magical. It felt like it was enchanted here.”

At the age of 28, Claire decided to move to Chagford. She stuffed her purse with her life savings of £200 and her sister Theo came to collect her. The bright and vivacious young woman left the fens behind for good. “I moved straight in and never left!” she laughs. Happy years followed. Claire would spend all day walking across the hills with ‘nothing but some lip balm, a phone, and the dog’. She married a kind-hearted local publican and cheesemonger.

“I nannied for many years,” Claire explains, “Then I became interested in supporting autistic children at primary school. I loved it so much. It was my dream job.”

But life was about to change. In her late 30s, Claire developed dizzy spells, and for a while she went blind in one eye. “I just knew something was wrong. I was so tired. Finally, in 2019, I was diagnosed with MS [multiple sclerosis, an incurable condition of the central nervous system]. It was just after I'd got my final qualification as an autism specialist, I was so sad to have to give up working at the school. I loved the children so much.”

“Things had to change. I couldn't walk very far any more, so my photography became about people instead. I thought people were difficult to photograph, but I do really enjoy it. I already had lots of friends, but through the photography, I’ve made so many new friends, especially amongst the older generation.”

Prior to the publication of Claire’s book, the most recent book of Chagford photographic portraits was John Curno’s 'Chagford Parish, a photographic study in the 21st century’. Claire takes up the story: “John Curno’s book is now twenty years old, and Chagford has changed a lot since then, so when someone suggested I should produce a book of my photos, I sort of said 'OK' ! But I wanted to do it my own way; these kinds of books can be a bit male-dominated. Chagford is a really friendly place, I didn't want any of the serious stuff. I wanted to capture the atmosphere and energy of Chagford.”

Claire’s book is a testament to her determined and unquenchable spirit. Her MS affects her walking and she now needs a mobility scooter. “I have chronic pain. Every day. When I suddenly need to sit down, people are surprised because I’m so lively and smiley; they don’t realise. But the pain never goes away.”

Her photographs reveal a rare gift for photographic reportage, expressing something of the universal within the local, evoking the precious magic of the everyday - community, music, laughter, sports, arts, friendships. It’s a triumphant labour of love. “It took four years of making dates with people. My husband is so proud of me. I don't know if I am. I still can't quite believe it!”

Capturing Chagford: Portraits of a Dartmoor Parish

by Claire-Shauna Saunders

Hardback, 104 pages, £20
Available from Astors Bookshop, Chagford